What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter

This formula tells a gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.

Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can create problems that might be expensive and complex to fix.

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:

• Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.

You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Providence Gutters Plus check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up and take a look, or you might notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see a little in these areas, there is a good chance there is more that is unable to make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To stop the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Providence

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route Providence Gutters Plus recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Providence Gutters Plus will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Providence

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Providence Gutters Plus may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.